What do "gender people" gain by forcing others to use "their pronouns"? Is this just a power move?

submitted by RatherSmallPotato from (self.whatever)

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[–]happysmash27 3 insightful - 3 fun3 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 3 fun -  (2 children)

Not being uncomfortable being called something they don't identify with, of course. Would you like to be referred to by pronouns of the opposite gender?

[–]Tom_BombadilBombadildo 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

What about the non-gender pronouns?

Should others be forced to learn a spectrum of inorganic, and arbitrary labels?

[–]happysmash27 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I don't think people should be forced to use certain language; in my opinion this is more of a matter of politeness, and a gender-neutral pronoun is pretty polite in all cases. I've recently read this article by Richard Stallman today, and I have to agree with his point there:

There are those who claim that we have an obligation to refer to someone using whatever pronouns person might choose. I disagree with that position, on grounds of principle and grounds of practice. I think we should respect other people's gender identification, but which pronouns we use for any particular gender identification is a separate matter — a matter of grammar. We do not owe it to anyone to change our grammar according to per wishes.